The Best of 80s Electronic Dance Music

A look at the best 80s electronic dance music, featuring tracks from Depeche Mode, New Order, and more.

Introduction

Electronic dance music (EDM), also known as dance music, club music, or simply dance, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys (DJs) who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix by segueing from one recording to another.

Although EDM is a broad term that can include different genres, it is generally used to describe electronic music that is produced for dancing. This includes music that is created with specific intent to support or enhance the atmosphere of a live performance or DJ set in a nightclub, party, festival, rave, or other celebratory event.

The term “EDM” was first used in the United States in the late 1980s to describe the increasingly popular genre of electronic dance music at the time. It was then further popularized in the 1990s with the rise of electronic dance festivals such as Creamfields and Gatecrasher. In the 2000s and 2010s, “EDM” became increasingly commercialized with the rise of superstar DJs such as Calvin Harris and David Guetta.

The Birth of Electronic Dance Music

If you were born any time between 1965 and 1985, then you probably remember the 80s. The 80s were a time of big hair, big shoulders, and big music. One of the most iconic genres of music to come out of the 80s was electronic dance music, or EDM.

The First Wave of Electronic Dance Music

In the early 1980s, electronic dance music began to proliferate in the form of new wave, synth-pop, and post-disco genres. These genres were often characterized by their use of synthesizers and drum machines, which resulted in a more electronic sound. This first wave of electronic dance music was often experimental and exploratory, as producers were just beginning to experiment with synthesized sounds.

The Second Wave of Electronic Dance Music

In the mid-1980s, a new era of electronic dance music began. House music, a style of dance music that originated in Chicago, became popular in clubs in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This new style of music was characterized by a heavier beat and more synthesized sounds than previous styles of electronic dance music. At the same time, a second wave of techno music was beginning in Detroit. This style of techno was characterized by its use of samples from other genres of music, such as funk and soul. In the late 1980s, these two styles of electronic dance music converged, giving birth to a new genre called acid house.

The Golden Age of Electronic Dance Music

The 1980s was a golden age for electronic dance music. This was the decade when electronic music first became mainstream, with artists such as Kraftwerk, New Order, and Depeche Mode achieving global success. The 80s was also a time of great experimentation, with new genres such as acid house and techno being born. If you’re a fan of electronic dance music, then the 80s is definitely the decade for you.

The First Golden Age of Electronic Dance Music

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new type of music was born. This was electronic dance music, or EDM for short. This new style of music quickly became popular in nightclubs and soon found its way into the mainstream. The first golden age of EDM lasted from approximately 1979 to 1985.

During this time, some of the most iconic EDM tracks were created. These include songs like”I Feel Love” by Donna Summer, “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, and “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc. These songs defined an era and continue to be popular today.

The first golden age of EDM came to an end in the mid-1980s as disco music fell out of favor. However, the genre would make a comeback in the 1990s with the help of artists like Moby and The Prodigy.

The Second Golden Age of Electronic Dance Music

The Second Golden Age of Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM 2.0, is a term used to describe the current state of the electronic dance music genre, which has experienced a massive resurgence in popularity since the early 2010s.

This new wave of EDM is characterized by its use of modern production techniques,its incorporation of elements from other genres (such as trap and dubstep), and its focus on the dropping of the bass rather than the traditional four-on-the-floor beats.

It is also worth noting that this Second Golden Age has coincided with the rise of social media and streaming services such as SoundCloud and Spotify, which have made it easier than ever for new artists to reach a wide audience.

Some of the most popular artists associated with this new wave of EDM include Skrillex, Diplo, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and Knife Party.

Conclusion

The Best of 80s Electronic Dance Music is a great collection of some of the best dance tracks from the 80s. If you are a fan of electronic dance music, then this album is a must-have.